San Diego/Imperial

San Diego leaders, researchers, and community partners gathered for the region’s inaugural Research Summit to spotlight how data and research are shaping solutions to critical challenges in housing, workforce development, jobs, and community well-being.

Across San Diego and Imperial Counties, organizations are producing high-quality research and data tools to inform decisions about workforce, economic, and community development. Yet too often, this work lives in silos—spread across websites, reports, dashboards, and internal systems—making it difficult for practitioners to find, compare, and use. To address this challenge, the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) launched the San Diego & Imperial Research Hub, a centralized, public-facing repository for regional data and research.

Join the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) and the Policy & Innovation Center (PIC) on Friday, January 16, 2026, at San Diego Miramar College (L-105 Auditorium) for a dynamic morning of TED-style talks from regional leaders using data to strengthen communities, inform policy, and advance equity.

In lieu of having each of the region’s ten community colleges independently convene stakeholders, the San Diego and Imperial COE coordinated a regional approach through community forums. This collective effort forms the foundation of the Comprehensive Regional Needs Assessment (CRNA)—a report the COE develops to help colleges meet Perkins V requirements while reducing duplication and strengthening regional alignment.

The San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE), San Diego & Imperial Regional Consortium (SDIRC), San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC) recently received funding from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to launch “Advancing San Diego and Imperial’s Talent Connection-Blue and Green Tech.”

Across San Diego County, organizations are using data and research to tackle some of our region’s biggest challenges—from housing stability to economic mobility. Much of this incredible work happens behind the scenes. The San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (SDI COE) and the Policy & Innovation Center will host the 2026 Research Summit to spotlight and address these challenges and inspire collaboration amongst the community.

The San Diego & Imperial Regional Consortium and the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) invite you to the next Workforce Development Council (WDC) meeting for a presentation highlighting the findings from the recently released Adult Learner Study report.

The San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) has published a report on the experiences of adult learners to help inform community college strategies and policies aimed at meeting the state’s goal of ensuring that 70% of working-age Californians obtain a postsecondary degree by 2030.

To support strategic planning, grant management, and program development, the San Diego & Imperial Center of Excellence (COE) developed six community college district profiles that provide a comprehensive look at the San Diego-Imperial Region.